Graduate Student Feedback for Library Renovation: Moving forward to assess and meet student needs in redesign

The iconic Hesburgh Library building was nearing its 50th anniversary when review of the facilities program began in advance of renovation planning. This talk centers on graduate student workspaces, in particular closed study carrels that were characterized as 'mop closets' by some occupants. In 2013, review of existing data and feedback informed the initial planning for renovation of one tower floor in the library and its graduate student spaces. Through a series of focus groups, open forums, surveys and social events, feedback was collected and shared with the renovation team. Iterative designs over a period of two years were influenced by feedback, and post-renovation surveys of occupants signal positive outcomes of the process with room for revisions in future floors to be renovated at a later time.